Collection of essays commemorating Oslo II released by BICOM

BICOM has issued a collection of essays on the difficulties of restarting the two-state solution to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Oslo II Accord.

The e-book, called “Two States for Two Peoples,” features contributions from politicians, spymasters, military planners and analysts, reflecting on the 1995 interim deal which created Areas A, B and C in the West Bank. 

“The 1995 interim agreement was an historic milestone on the journey towards a final agreement between Israel and the Palestinians,” said James Sorene, the new chief executive of BICOM.

Among those writing in the publication is Isaac Herzog, leader of the Israeli opposition. “I believe [Prime Minister Netanyahu] understands the necessity and urgency of moving towards peace,” he says, “but I’m not sure he has the guts to do it. I hope he and Abbas meet, look each other in the eye and don’t blink. They have a golden, historic opportunity of moving towards peace.”

Other contributors include Efraim Halevy, former head of the Mossad; Dore Gold, the current Director-General of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ami Ayalon, former head of the Shin Bet. 

Most say that a two-state solution is still the preferred option, but that events in the past 20 years have made it harder to achieve.